GB2373699A

GB2373699A - Fishing line loader

Info

Publication number: GB2373699A
Application number: GB0107590A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Cano; Christopher Robert Belton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-27
Filing date: 2001-03-27
Publication date: 2002-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-27
Also published as: GB0107590D0; GB2373699B

Abstract

The loader comprises a metal frame construction with an adjustable retainer to enable the loading of new fishing line from proprietary bobbins of varying size, onto a fishing rod reel, at a variable, pre-set tension. The tension is set by adjusting a wingnut located on thread projections extending from the frame. On tightening the wingnut a bearing the bearing increases the frictional resistance to rotation applied by the bearing to the bobbin. The frame includes prongs for inserting the loader in the ground. The unit enables one person to be able to carry out this operation.

Description

REEL LINE TENSIONING LOADER This invention relates to a Reel Line Tensioning Loader. Anglers usually require the assistance of another person to load fishing line from the manufacturer's bobbin onto the reel of the fishing rod. Further, the angler usually requires that the line be loaded onto the fishing reel at a certain tension. This pre-set tension is estimated to allow for the breaking strain of the particular line in use, and the weight of weights on the end of the line.

It is important that the fishing line is loaded onto the reel within the required tension parameters, in order that the angler can cast off the line unwinding smoothly from the reel for any particular set-up of weights and breaking strain.

Currently, the angler's assistant has to hold the bobbin of line, rotating on an improvised shaft held between the assistant's hands. Tension is applied to the bobbin as it rotates by the application of friction from his or her thumbs on the outside faces of the bobbin's flanges.

According to the present invention there is provided a Reel Line Tensioning Loader comprising a metal frame, with a handle, two prongs, and adjustable retaining plate, wing nuts and springs on threaded bar as adjustment mechanisms, and a bobbin carriage with roller bearings and bobbin location spigots.

The bobbin carriage and moving retaining plate carry and retain a bobbin of fishing line respectively. A desired friction force, resisting the rotation of the bobbin is set by rotating the two wing nuts.

The frame can be secured in the ground by driving the two prongs into the ground by use of foot pressure upon a footplate.

The angler can then load new fishing ! ine onto his fishing reel fitted on his rod, from Wi ILW 1 11 1 1 III lj IL % i 1 11 1 luili the bobbin set-up in the Reel Line Tensioning Loader located in the ground without any assistance from another person.

The tension at which the line is dispensed from the bobbin will be constant to within those limits chosen by the angler.

There will be no physical discomfort experienced by an assistant or the angler, as is often the case with the more traditional methods of loading line from a bobbin to a reel without the aid of this item of equipment.

The equipment is small and light enough to be easily carried in an equipment box or holdall to the fishing site.

The equipment could also be attached over a pneumatic tyre or even the edge of a boat, or held by an assistant, using the two prongs.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the Reel Line Tensioning Loader in position in the ground, and a person holding a section of fishing rod, while winding line from the bobbin, set in the carriage of the equipment, onto the reel attached to the fishing rod.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the Reel Line Tensioning Loader held by hand in an upright position, while having its prongs driven into the ground using foot pressure.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the Reel Line Tensioning Loader, with a bobbin of fishing line loaded in the carriageway.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the Reel Line Tensioning Loader with a bobbin of fishing line loaded in the carriage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings Figures 1 to 4 the Reel Line Tensioning Loader comprises a metal frame with a handle, two prongs and an adjustable retaining plate, which is able to slide along two threaded bars, in two directions.

There is a carriage to carry a bobbin of fishing line (a proprietary item). The carriage has two spigots upon which the bobbin is located ; (Figure 3) and the outer faces of the bobbin flanges locate against roller bearings.

To use the invention the whole unit is secured in the ground by holding the handle (Figure 2), and by applying pressure from a foot onto the foot plate (Figure 2), in a vertical downwards direction, until the prongs are securely located in the ground, in a near vertical position (although this is not critical). The bobbin can then be placed upon the spigots (Figure 3) at this stage or can be fitted to the unit before it is secured into the ground if desired.

The desired frictional resistance to rotation of the bobbin can be set by adjusting the wing nuts in or out, whilst applying the appropriate test tension on the line. Anglers can usually set the tension by'feel'according to their personal preference based upon experience. The retaining plate can be positioned to accommodate different sizes of bobbin.

Once the friction resistance of the bobbin has been set, the angler will stand at a comfortable distance from the equipment which is set in the ground, probably 2-4 metres (depending upon the topography of the ground and personal preference), holding his fishing rod, and then wind the fishing line onto his fishing reel from the bobbin. The line between the bobbin and the end of the rod to the reel will be taught and winding across at the desired tension.

Any adjustment to the frictional resistance of the bobbin will be made by turning the wing nuts clockwise to increase the tension or anti-clockwise to reduce the tension.

The force of the retaining plate upon the bobbin fiange will create the frictional f, L %. I I Ll I LJUI I I I I t resistance on both outer faces of the two bobbin flanges. This pressure will be maintained at a constant for any particular setting of the wing nuts, by the induced loading on the springs (Figure 3) located between the wing nuts and the retaining plate.

The pressure from the retainer plate is directed onto the bobbin flange outer faces via roller bearings, which rotate with the bobbin.

During the winding operation any adjustments necessary to the winding tension will be adjusted by feel through the rod and reel according to the fisherman's personal preference and experience.

The Reel Line Tension Loader can be positioned over a pneumatic tyre or the edge of a boat, or similar available object, or held by the two prongs by an assistant, or in a vice, or by G-Clamp to a post or similar structure.

Once the desired tension has been set on the Reel Line Tensioning Loader, the reel on the fishing rod can be wound quickly, enabling the rapid loading of new fishing line onto a reel to be accomplished at home or on a fishing site without an assistant and also the usual associated problems of line spilling out of control onto the ground due to the lack of constant tension when using traditional methods of reel loading.

This invention has the facility to enable the selection of a constant and pre-set winding tension on new fishing line while winding from bobbin to fishing reel.

This invention allows the tension on the unwinding line from the bobbin to be varied and pre-set and held constant and then wound onto a fishing reel at this tension.

Claims

CLAIMS Claim 1: A Reel Line Tensioning Loader which enables new fishing line to be loaded onto the fishing rod reel at a constant pre-set and variable tension by one person, or two people if the unit is hand held, and the unit is of a metal framed construction.

Claim 2: A Reel Line Tensioning Loader as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the tension on the unwinding line from the bobbin can be varied and pre-set manually, and held constant, while winding the line onto a fishing reel at this tension.

Claim 3: A Reel Line Tensioning Loader as described in Claim 1 and 2 wherein the unit can be adjusted to accommodate bobbins of different sizes as are generally available.

Claim 4: A Reel Line Tensioning Loader as claimed in Claim 2 and Claim 3, wherein the unit can be secured in the ground.

Claim 5: A Reel Line Tensioning Loader as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the unit can be secured on the edge of the boat, tyre, held in a vice, or by a G-Clamp to a post or similar structure, or can be held by hand by an assistant.

Claim 6: A Reel Line Tensioning Loader as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein this unit enables a rapid loading of new fishing line onto a fishing rod reel, by one person.